What is Inflammation Doing to Your Joints?

By Stepy Kamei

How much do you know about the function of inflammation in the body? Like carbohydrates and fat, inflammation can be good for the body in certain cases. For instance, the body needs carbs and certain fats in order to gain energy to get through the day. Similarly, the body relies on its natural inflammatory response to fight off any potential threats to the immune system, such as viruses, illnesses, and invasive foreign substances. When relied on in this natural manner, the inflammatory response can be incredibly helpful and useful for anyone.

However, the body sometimes kicks its inflammatory response into overdrive, which can lead to many health problems. Most distressingly, an abundance of inflammation in the body can lead to aches, pain, and general discomfort throughout the back and joints. Over time, chronic bouts of inflammation don't just continue to create discomfort -- they can often lead to more serious health issues as well. Arthritis, heart disease, and even obesity have all been linked to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Fortunately, in addition to seeing a chiropractor, there are ways you can fight off inflammation for less back and joint pain and better physical health overall.

Improve Your Diet

One of the most significant determining factors of how much inflammation flares up in your body is the consistency of your diet. Some foods have a very high inflammatory impact on the body. Other foods don't create too much inflammation, and there are even some foods which can help reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. A general rule of thumb: The more natural and unprocessed a food is, the less likely it is to produce harmful amounts of inflammation. Foods that are packaged and contain high amounts of sugar, salt, and fat (think chips, candy, and soda) tend to create large flare-ups of inflammation. High consumption of sugar in particular can also lead to increased insulin resistance, which is a dangerous early warning sign of developing metabolic syndrome and, eventually, diabetes. Eating these types of foods can also hinder any positive benefits which anti-inflammatory foods may have.

The best anti-inflammatory foods include those high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, chia seeds, and olive oil. You'll want to make sure your meals consist primarily of lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and whole grains, so your body is less likely to experience unnecessary amounts of inflammation.

Chiropractic is a Safe Way to Combat Inflammation

Another way you can rid the body of inflammation is by trusting a chiropractor at The Joint clinics to adjust your spine. Spinal adjustments have been known to reduce inflammation in the joints, which brings safe and natural relief to aches and pains.